Head of Planning

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership & Business Influence

• Act as a strategic partner in shaping the future of the planning function and its integration with broader business goals.
• Identify and create new business opportunities through planning insights and operational foresight.
• Influence decision-making processes and lead change management initiatives across the organization.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key decision-makers internally and externally, acting as a trusted advisor and negotiator.
• Represent the planning function in executive discussions, customer negotiations, other main contractor negotiations and strategic reviews.
• Responsible to ensure that the Vanderlande project schedule is aligned and agreed upon with other trades and part of the overall project schedule of the customer, within the contractual boundaries of the contract between customer and Vanderlande.

Collaboration with Contract & Risk Management

• Work closely with the Contract and Risk Manager to align project schedules with contractual obligations and risk strategies.
• Support the preparation and substantiation of Extension of Time (EOT) claims, variation orders, and contractual notices.
• Integrate risk assessments and mitigation strategies into project schedules and planning processes.
• Ensure planning data supports accurate pricing, documentation, and compliance with contract terms.
• Participate in risk workshops and contribute to the development of risk registers and commercial strategies.

Team Management & Development

• Lead and develop a high-performing planning team, including Specialist and Project Planners.
• Define and implement planning standards, tools, and methodologies across the project.
• Provide mentorship, training, and performance management to planning staff.

Project Planning Oversight

• Oversee the creation and maintenance of integrated master schedules using Primavera P6.
• Ensure alignment of schedules across design, procurement, manufacturing, installation, commissioning, and testing phases.
• Review and approve critical path analyses, time impact assessments, and schedule risk evaluations.
• Support planning input during proposal phases, ensuring contractual milestones are reflected.

Project Controls & Reporting

• Lead Earned Value Management (EVM) implementation and reporting across the project.
• Ensure planning data supports accurate forecasting, budgeting, and performance tracking.
• Present schedule performance and risk assessments to internal and external stakeholders.
• Drive continuous improvement in planning processes and tools.